Il Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau warned Friday that the current global order will be upended if leaders across the planet do not come together to defend human rights and address imminent threats such as climate change.
Justin Trudeau's harsh statements are part of a pre-recorded message to the United Nations General Assembly. “The world is in crisis, and not just because of the last few months,” Trudeau said.
The pandemic is a wake-up call
“It doesn't just depend on Covid-19. It's because of the last few decades. And it's our fault."
Trudeau described the pandemic as a “wake-up call” and argued that organizations formed in the wake of two world wars (the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank) are no longer effective. The causes? Too much bureaucracy and too much selfishness: all countries aim exclusively for their interests.
There are few consequences for countries that ignore international rules
Justin Trudeau
Accusations against China, Russia and Iran (without naming them)
“There are few consequences for countries where opposition figures are poisoned, while technology and disinformation are used to destabilize democracies. There are few consequences when innocent citizens are arbitrarily detained and fundamental freedoms are repressed. When a civilian plane is hit from the sky. If women's rights are not treated as human rights. When no one has any rights.”
The prime minister argued that the world is in crisis and will soon face one “climate showdown”. The inability of nations to unite is a sign that the world is in “a stalemate.”
World in crisis: things are going to get much worse
“The international approach that we have relied on since the second half of the 20th century was built on the belief that countries would work together,” Trudeau said.
“But now the same countries look inwards and are divided. We need to recognize where we are. The system is broken and the world is in crisis. And things are about to get a lot worse if we don't change."